;-NRLF 


21    7flD 


PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS 


TWENTY-FOUR    PROGRESSIVE    LESSONS    IN    PARLIA- 
MENTARY   PRACTICE    FOR  HIGH    SCHOOLS, 
COLLEGES,   LITERARY  CLUBS,   ETC. 


^ 
BY  JOSEPH  T.  EGBERT, 

PRINCIPAL,  THE  ROBERT  SCHOOL  OF  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW, 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


CHICAGO 
SCOTT,    FORESMAN    &    CO. 

1897 


Copyright,  1897. 
By  SCOTT,  FORESMAN  &  Co. 


PRESS  OP  ROGERS  A  SMITH  CO. .  CHICAOO. 


PREFACE. 


little  book  is  not  designed  to  take  the  place  of,  but  rather  to  introduce 
the  student  to,  larger  works.  Many  rules  given  may  seem  so  simple  as  not 
to  need  stating.  The  author's  experience  in  conducting  classes  of  College  and 
Law  Students,  Chautauquas,  Men's  and  Women's  Clubs,  etc.,  has  taught  him 
that  nothing  hinders  progress  more  than  misunderstanding  the  simple  things 
at  the  beginning,  and  that  nothing  is  more  common. 

The  Syllabus  is  written  especially  for  that  large  and  growing  class  of  Clubs, 
Literary  Societies,  etc.,  which  so  deeply  feel  the  need  of  a  better  acquaintance 
with  Parliamentary  forms  and  usages,  as  well  as  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of 
gaining  such  practical  knowledge  through  mere  individual  study,  that  they  are 
turning  resolutely  to  Club  Practice  as  the  true  and  only  solution  of  this  problem. 
It  is  hoped  that  in  such  Club  Practice— practice  with  study— those  lessons  will  be 
found  helpful  and  not  too  difficult. 

Lesson  XXIV,  on  Reversal  of  Action  on  Amendments,  contains,  the  author 
believes,  the  only  complete  statement  given  to  the  public  of  this  most  perplexing 
of  all  Parliamentary  Laws,  and  is  given  in  answer  to  many  requests. 

References  to  other  works  are  made  where  the  rule  given  might  be  thought  an 
innovation.  On  a  few  points,  without  authoritative  rule  or  precedent,  the 
endorsement  of  the  rule  here  given  by  the  author  of  "  Robert's  Rules  "  is  indicated 
by  "H.  M.  R." 

These  Lessons  mil  be  doubly  helpful  if  each  Syllabus  is  used  for  Club-Drill 
at  two  separate  sessions  of  one  to  two  hours  each. 

The  writer  takes  pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  invaluable  aid  derived  from 
years  of  interchange  of  opinions  and  rulings  in  submitted  cases,  as  well  as 
frequent  discussions  of  obscure  and  controverted  points,  with  his  brother,  Col. 
H.  M.  Robert,  the  author  of  "  Robert's  Rules  of  Order." 

JOSEPH  T.  ROBERT. 
CHICAGO,  ILL.,  October,  1897. 


82584 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


LESSON 

I.  TEMPORARY  ORGANIZATION. — How  to  call  a  Meeting  to  Order.  Who  is  in 
control.  What  Title  and  Power.  ELECTIONS.  How  offer  Resolutions. 
A  Question  Stated.  OBTAINING  THE  FLOOR.  MOTIONS — making  and  sec- 
onding. Things  to  Avoid.  Things  to  Do.  POINT  OF  ORDER. 

II.   AMEND.— Five   Forms.     How  Move.     Six   Laws.     "Not."     "Germane." 

"Hostile."     "Trivial." 

PREVIOUS  QUESTION.    Means  Three  Things — a  child  can  understand  and 
apply.    Previous  Question,  Limited. 

III.  AMEND  (continued). — Five  Laws.    Can  an  Amendment  always  be  amended? 

Can  a  Motion?    Amendment  to  Amendment?    "Separate."    Debatable? 
Order  of  voting  on  Resolution  and  Amendments.    Unamendable  Motions. 
PARLIAMENTARY  INQUIRY.    DOUBTING  THE  VOTE.    Call  for  Division. 

IV.  QUESTION  OP  CONSIDERATION. — "I  object."    Applies?   When  made?    Ten 

simple    Laws.     Obnoxious    Questions.     Second?    Question   reversed   in 
stating.    A  Back-handed  Two-thirds  Vote. 
PRINCIPAL  MOTIONS — briefly  denned.    CLOSE  DEBATE  (part  1). 

V.  LAY   ON   THE   TABLE. — Use  and  Abuse.    Laws.    Tabling   Amendments. 

Effect  on  Main  Question.     Limits.     "  Vitally  connected."    Reconsider. 
TAKE  FROM  THE  TABLE. — Laws  and  Forms.    RECESS.    Order  of  Precedence. 

VI.   INDEFINITELY  POSTPONE. — Yields  to?    Precedes?    Object.    Forms.     POST- 
PONE DEFINITELY. 
RECONSIDER  (part  1). — Who  can  move?    "Prevailing  side" 

VII.  APPEALS. — What  Decisions  can  be  appealed  from?  "  Personally  affected." 
Effect  of  Tabling.  Tie  Vote.  Can  Chairman  vote?  Debatable  or  Un- 
debatable?  Question  reversed.  Twelve  Laws. 

VIII.  WITHDRAWAL  OF  A  MOTION.— What  may  be  Withdrawn?  When?  Why? 
Consent  of  Second.  General  Consent.  Motion  to  Allow.  Forms  and 
Rules. 

IX.  AMEND  BY  DIVISION. — Twelve  Plain  Rules.  Who  decides  how?  Mover  vs. 
Chairman.  "Independent."  Stand  Alone.  Mode  of  Action.  Order  of 
Voting.  What  can't  be  Divided?  A  Better  Way.  Forms. 

X.  SUBSTITUTE. — Is  an  Amendment.  Strike  out  and  Insert  on  a  Larger  Scale. 
When  in  Order.  Difficult  Problems.  Common  Mistakes. 

XI.  PERMANENT  ORGANIZATION. — Add  pro  tern.  State  Object.  Formal  Resolu- 
tion. Committee  on  Constitution.  True  Way  to  Amend  and  Adopt. 
"Adopt  Article  "  ruled  out.  Suspend  Rules. 

5 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS.  7 

LESSON 

XII.  ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS. — Tellers'  Work  and  Reports  of  Ballots.  Voting 
for  One  not  Nominated.  Blanks  Counted?  Imperfect  Ballots — how 
treated.  WHO  is  ELECTED?  Chairman's  Action.  INFORMAL  BALLOT. 

XIII.  ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. — Adjourn  in  Order?    Special  Order.     Taking  up 

Business  out  of  Proper  Order.    SUSPENSION  OF  RULES.    QUORUM. 

XIV.  MINUTES. — Effect  of  Subsidary  Motions  on  "  Amend  Minutes."    Rank  of 

Minutes.     "Approve  "  by  General  Consent,  or  Motion.     How  late  can 
Minutes  be  Corrected?    Should  contain  what? 

XV.  QUESTIONS  OF  PRIVILEGE. — What  are?  Rank.  If  requiring  Immediate 
Action.  Chair.  Forms  for  Members  and  Chairman.  Rules.  Janitor. 
Tellers.  Rights  of  New  Members.  CHANGING  A  VOTE. 

XVI.  COMMIT  AND  COMMITTEES. — Work  of.  How  Appointed?  Nominated? 
Elected?  Rules  and  Forms.  Committee  of  the  Whole.  Standing  and 
Select  Committees.  Sub-committees.  Instructing.  Amending. 

XVII.  ADJOURN. — Qualified.  Unqualified.  What  is  in  Order  while  Adjourn  is 
pending?  Six  Forms  of  Adjourn.  Adjourn  sine  die  debatable.  Ad- 
journ at  and  to  a  Time  and  to  a  Place. 

XVIII.  RECONSIDER — (more  fully  treated).  Who  can  Move?  "Prevailing  side" 
may  be  Minority.  Second?  Who?  When?  Effect.  In  what  order 
Reconsider  Motion,  Amendment,  and  Amendment  to  Amendment? 

XIX.  Fix  TIME  (AND  PLACE)  TO  WHICH  TO  ADJOURN. — When  Another  Question 
is  pending.  When  not.  Two  Questions  of  very  different  Rank.  Don't 
combine  Fix  Time  and  Adjourn.  Forms  and  Rules. 

XX.  EXTEND,  LIMIT  AND  CLOSE  DEBATE.— Apply  to?  Rank.  Two-thirds  Vote. 
Amend  and  Debate?  Exact  Scope  of  Each.  Length  and  Number  of 
Speeches.  Length  of  Debate.  Time  Limit  reached. 

XXI.  PREVIOUS  QUESTION — (more  fully  stated).  Previous  Question  Limited  and 
without  Limit.  PREVIOUS  QUESTION  AND  RECONSIDER.  Previous  Ques- 
tion in  Force.  Previous  Question  Exhausted.  Votes  under  Previous 
Question  Reconsidered  in  both  cases. 

XXII.  SUSPEND  RULES,  BY-LAWS,  CONSTITUTION. — Two-thirds  Vote.  Can  Sus- 
pend what  By-Laws  and  Rules?  Principles,  Laws,  Precedence,  can  not 
be  Suspended.  Rules  of  Superior  Bodies. 

XXIII.  AMEND  RULES,  BY-LAWS,  ETC.— When?    After  what  Notice?    Two-thirds 

Vote?     "Germane"    enforced.      Amend    Amendment    by    Majority? 
U.  S.,  State,  Ecclesiastical  and  Fraternity  Laws.    INCORPORATION. 

XXIV.  To  REVERSE  ACTION  ON  AMENDMENTS. — To  Insert,  lost.    To  Insert,  car- 

ried.   Strike  out,  lost.    Strike  out,  carried.    Strike  out  and  Insert,  lost 
or  carried.    In  all,  TWENTY-FOUR  RULES.    Examples. 


TABLES  OF  MOTIONS. 


MOTIONS  WHICH  CAN  NOT  BE  RECONSIDERED. 


Adjourn. 

Election  to  office  of  a  person  pres- 
ent and  not  declining. 

Lay  on  the  Table;  affirmative  vote. 

Previous  Question  (affirmative  vote), 
if  partly  or  wholly  executed. 

A  Question  already  Reconsidered, 
unless  amended  during  first  Re- 
consideration. 


A  Question,  to  Reconsider  which 
has  already  been  moved  and  lost. 

Reconsider. 

Recess. 

Suspend  Rules. 

Take  from  the  Table;  affirmative 
vote. 

A  Vote,  as  a  result  of  which  some- 
thing has  been  done  which  the 
Assembly  can  not  reverse. 


QUESTIONS  WHICH  CAN  NOT  BE  AMENDED.    See  LESSON  III. 


UNDEBATABLE  QUESTIONS. 


Amendments  to  Undebatable  Ques- 
tions. 

Adjourn  (unqualified). 

Adjourn,  Fix  Time  to  which  to, 
(Priv'd).* 

Appeals,  relating  to  Indecorum, 
Transgression  of  Rules  of  Debate, 
Priority  of  Business;  or  made 
during  pendency  of  any  undebat- 
able  question. 

Call  to  Order. 

Close  Debate. 

Doubting  the  Vote. 

Extend  Limits  of  Debate. 

Fix  Time  to  which  to  Adjourn, 
(Priv'd).* 

General  Consent,  asking  for. 

Lay  on  the  Table. 

Leave  to  Continue  after  Indecorum. 

Limit  Debate. 

Motions  made  while  Previous  Ques- 
tion or  any  Undebatable  Question 
is  pending.! 

Object  to  Consideration. 


Object,  where  General  Consent  is 
required. 

Orders  of  the  Day,  call  for. 

Postpone  to  a  Definite  Time4 

Point  of  Order. 

Precedence  of  Motions,   Questions 
as  to. 

Previous  Question. 

Priority  of  Business,  Questions  re- 
lating to. 

Reading  Papers. 

Recess. 

Reconsider  an  Undebatable  Q'n. 

Enter  "Reconsider"  on  Minutes. 

Rise  (in  Committee=Adjourn). 

Substitute  for  Undebatable  Q'n. 

Suspend  Rules. 

Take  from  the  Table. 

Take  up  Question  out  of  its  Proper 
Order. 

Vote,  Changing  a. 

Voting,  Questions  as  to  Mode  of. 
"       Call  for  Division  in. 

Withdrawal  of  a  Motion. 
"    Second. 


*"Fix  Time  to  which  to  Adjourn"  is  Unprivileged  and  Debatable,  if  moved  ivhen  no 
other  question  is  pending. 
t  H.  M.  R. 
\  Allows  only  limited  debate  on  Postpone. 


LISTS  OF  MOTIONS. 


I. 

PRIVILEGED  QUESTIONS. 

III. 

SUBSIDIARY  QUESTIONS. 

1 

Fix  the  Time  to  which  to  Adjourn. 

1 

Lay  on  the  Table. 

2 

Adjourn  (unqualified). 

2 

Previous  Question. 

3 

Take  a  Recess. 

3 

Close  and  Limit  Debate. 

4 

Questions  of  Privilege. 

4 

Extend  Limits  of  Debate. 

5 

Call  for  Orders  of  the  Day. 

5 

Postpone  Definitely. 

6 

Commit  or  Refer. 

II. 

INCIDENTAL  QUESTIONS. 

7 

Amend. 

1 

Questions  of  Order. 

8 

Postpone  Indefinitely. 

2 

Appeal. 

3 
4 

Objection  to  Consideration. 
Questions  as  to  Mode  of  Voting. 

u\ 

5 

Enter  Reconsider  on  Minutes. 

6 

Reading  Papers. 

7 

Withdraw  a  Motion. 

8 

Suspend  Rules. 

ABBEEVIATIONS. 


Fix  Time=Fix  the  Time  to  which  to  Adjourn. 

H.  M.  R.=H.  M.  Robert,  author  of  Robert's  Rules. 

p.  Q.        =Previous  Question. 

R.  R.       =Robert's  Rules  of  Order. 


TJlMlVERSTTY 


>  *»  -^ 
v      ».;,.»    jFOP-)>^ 

A  PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS, 


TWENTY-FOUR  PROGRESSIVE  LESSONS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    I. 
TEMPORARY  ORGANIZATION  — MOTIONS  — POINT  OP  ORDER. 

I.  ORGANIZATION  OF  AN  OCCASIONAL  MEETING. 

1.  At  the  appointed  time  some  one  should  come  forward  and  say:  The  meet- 

ing will  please  come  to  order.    I  move  that  Mr.  A.  act  as  Chairman.    (If 
not  promptly  seconded,  say:  Is  the  motion  seconded?) 

2.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  that  Mr.  A.  act  as  Chairman.     Are  you  ready  for 

the  question?    (Waiting  an  instant) — All  in  favor  of  the  motion  will  say 
aye  ;  (after  ayes  respond)  those  opposed,  no. 

3.  The  ayes  have  it,  Mr.  A.  is  elected  and  will  please  take  the  Chair  (or,  the 

noes  have  it,  the  motion  is  lost  and  nominations  for  Chairman  are  in 
order). 

4.  "  Nominations  for  Chairman  are  in  order  "  may  be  used  as  soon  as  the  meet- 

ing is  called  to  order  (1). 

II.  OBTAINING  THE  FLOOR. 

1.  Before  making  a  motion  or  speech  a  member  must  Obtain  the  Floor;  i.  e. 

rise,  address  the  Chair,  and  wait  till  recognized. 

2.  The  Chair  recognizes  by  naming  the  member:  e.  g.  "  Mr.  Jones." 

3.  "  Mr.  Chairman,"  "  Mrs.  or  Miss  (or  Madam)  Chairman"  are  the  usual  forms. 

If  a  special  title  belongs  to  the  office,  that  should  be  used,  as  "Mr. 
Speaker,"  "Mrs.  President." 

III.  MAKING  AND  SECONDING  MOTIONS. 

1.  Don't  say  " I  motion,"  " I  move  you,"  "I  move  the  Chair." 

2.  Obtain  the  floor  and  say  "  I  move,"  stating  the  motion  briefly. 

3.  In  Seconding  a  motion  don't  say  "  I  sustain  "  or  "  I  support  the  motion." 

4.  Remain  seated,  without  addressing  the  Chair,  and  say:     "  I  second  the  mo- 

tion" (or  Appeal,  etc.). — R.  R. 

IV.  RESOLUTIONS. 

1.  Should  be  read  and  handed  to  the  Chair  or  Secretary. 

Forms:  I  move  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution:   Resolved,  That 
etc. 

V.  POINT  OP  ORDER. 

1.  If  a  member  sees  any  violation  of  the  rules  he  may  (even  while  another  has 

the  floor)  rise  and  say :    "  Mr.  Chairman,  I  rise  to  a  Point  of  Order." 

2.  Chairman:   " Please  state  the  point  of  order." 

3.  Chairman:   "  The  Chair  decides  the  point  (not)  well  taken,  and  the  member 

must  speak  to  the  pending  amendment." 

4.  The  Chairman  can  himself  call  a  member  to  order. 

12 


14  A   PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    II. 

AMEND  — FIVE  FORMS  —  HOSTILE  AND  GERM  A  NE  —  PREVIOUS 

QUESTION. 

I.  FIVE  FORMS  OF  AMENDMENT. 

1.  To  insert  or  add.  \ 

2.  To  strike  out.  (•  See  also  Lesson  III. 

3.  To  strike  out  and  insert.  ) 

4.  To  substitute.    (Lesson  X.) 

5.  To  divide.    (Lesson  IX.) 

II.  LAWS  —  GERMANE,  HOSTILE,  TRIVIALS 

1.  An  Amendment  may  be  Hostile  (i.  e.  directly  opposed  to  the  original  mo- 

tion) ;  but  must  be  Germane  (*.  e.  have  a  direct  bearing  on  the  subject  of 
the  original  motion). 

2.  An  Amendment  obviously  Trivial  should  be  ruled  out  by  the  Chair :  e.  g. 

"  I  move  to  amend  by  adding  '  Queen  Victoria '  to  the  committee." 

3.  An  Amendment  is  debatable  only  when  the  main  question  is  debatable. 

4.  The  words  Inserted  or  Struck  Out  must  be  connected  words. 

5.  In  "  Strike  out  and  Insert,"  the  words  must  be  inserted  in  the  place  from 

which  the  others  were  struck  out. — R.  R. 

6.  To  "  Strike  out  and  Insert "  is  one  motion,  and  can  not  be  divided. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  to  amend  the  amendment  by  inserting  the  words  "by  law"  after  the 

word  "prohibited." 

2.  I  move  to  amend  the  second  resolution  by  striking  out  the  word  "taxpay- 

ers," and  inserting  the  words  "able  to  read." 

3.  The  ayes  (noes)  have  it,  and  the  amendment  is  adopted  (or  lost). 

4.  The  question  now  recurs  on  the  resolution  as  amended  (or,  if  the  amendment 

fails,  on  the  original  resolution).    Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

IV.  PREVIOUS  QUESTION.    (For  fuller  treatment,  see  Lesson  XXI.) 

1.  The  Previous  Question  means:   Stop  debating,  stop  amending,  and  vote. 

2.  It  brings  the  pending  question  or  questions  to  an  immediate  vote. 

3.  The  Previous  Question  may  be  limited  by  its  mover  to  one  or  more  questions. 

4.  Requires  a  two-thirds  vote. 

V.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  the  Previous  Question  (on  the  amendment). 

2.  Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put? 

3.  Shall  the  question  be  now  put  on  the  amendment? 

4.  Two-thirds  voting  in  the  affirmative,  the  ayes  have  it,  and  the.  Previous 

Question  is  ordered  (on  the  amendments). 

NOTE. — Unless  all  members  of  the  Assembly  are  familiar  with  Parliament- 
ary Law,  it  is  best,  if  a  motion  requires  a  two-thirds  vote,  to  announce 
that  fact:  (a)  In  stating  the  question,  and  (&)  In  announcing  the  result. 


16  A  PARLIAMENTAKY  SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    III. 

AMEND  (PART  2)  —  PARLIAMENTARY  INQUIRY— DOUBTING  THE 

VOTE. 

I.  LAWS  OP  AMENDMENTS. 

1.  Every  amendment  can  be  amended. 

2.  ,An  amendment  to  an  amendment  can  not  be  amended. 

3.  Two  separate  amendments  can  not  be  before  an  Assembly  at  the  same  time. 

4.  When  a  motion,  an  amendment  and  an  amendment  to  the  amendment  are 

pending,  the  vote  is  taken — 

(a)  On  the  amendment  to  the  amendment. 

(b)  On  the  amendment  (or,  if  amended,  on  the  amendment  as  amended). 

(c)  On  the  original  motion  (or,  if  amended,  on  the  motion  as  amended). 

II.  The  following  are  the  principal  questions  which  can  not  be  amended : 

1.  Adjourn.* 

2.  Appeal. 

3.  Lay  on  (and  Take  from)  the  Table. 

4.  Leave  to  continue  speaking,  etc. 

5.  Object  to  Consideration, 

6.  Orders  of  the  Day,  call  for. 

7.  Postpone  Indefinitely. 

8.  Previous  Question. 

9.  Reconsider. 

10.  Suspend  Rules. 

11.  Take  up  business  out  of  order. 

12.  Withdrawal  of  a  motion. 

III.  PARLIAMENTARY  INQUIRY. 

1.  If  a  member  is  in  doubt  as  to  any  rule,  method  or  form,  relating  to  business 

already  before  the  Assembly,  or  which  fie  wishes  to  bring  up  for  consider- 
ation : 

2.  He  should  rise  and  say:   "  Mr.  Chairman,  I  rise  to  a  Parliamentary  Inquiry." 

3.  Chairman :   "  Please  state  the  Inquiry." 

4.  Needs  neither  recognition  by  the  Chair,  nor  a  second. 

IV.  DOUBTING  »HE  VOTE  AND  DIVISION. 

1.  If  any  member  is  not  satisfied  with  the  result  (as  stated  by  the  Chair)  of  any 

vote  by  ayes  and  noes,  he  may  rise  and  say:   " Mr.  Chairman,  I  doubt  the 
vote  (or,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  call  for  a  Division)." 

2.  Chairman:   "A  division  is  called  for.    All  in  favor  will  rise  and  stand  until 

counted ;  (after  counting)  those  opposed  will  rise." 

3.  The  Chair  may  count,  or  ask  the  Secretary,  or  appoint  Tellers  from  both 
•\       sides. 

4/  The  number  may  be  announced  by  the  Chair  as  each  side  is  counted,  or  after 
both  sides  have  voted,  e.  g.  25  in  the  aifirmative,  40  in  the  negative,  and 
the  motion  is  lost. 

*  "  Adjourn"  always  means  "  ADJOURN,  Unqualified"  unless  otherwise  stated. 


18  A  PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    IV. 
OBJECT  TO  CONSIDERATION -CLOSE  DEBATE.    (See  LESSON  XX.) 

I.  OBJECT  TO  CONSIDERATION: 

1.  Applies  only  to  Principal  Motions  (i.  e.  motions  introducing  a  subject). 

2.  Must  be  made  before  debate,  amendment  or  other  motion,  but  after  the 

question  has  been  stated  by  the  Chair. 

3.  The  Chair  can  put  the  question  without  a  motion,  if  he  thinks  best. 

4.  Is  in  order  when  another  has  the  floor. 

5.  Needs  no  recognition  or  second. 

6.  Can  not  be  debated,  amended,  or  have  any  other  subsidiary  motion  applied 

to  it,  except: 

7.  Can  be  laid  on  the  table,  carrying  the  main  question  with  it. 

8.  A  two-thirds  vote  in  the  negative  defeats  Consideration  for  the  entire  session, 

unless  reconsidered. 

9.  An  affirmative  vote  of  more  than  one-third  leaves  the  question  before  the 

Assembly  for  action. 

II.  FORMS. 

1.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  object  to  the  consideration  of  the  question  (petition,  etc.). 

2.  Objection  to  consideration  being  made,  the  question  before  the  Assembly  is, 

"  Shall  the  question  be  considered?    A  two-thirds  negative  vote  is  required 
to  prevent  consideration.     Are  you  ready  for  the  question  ?  " 

3.  All  in  favor  of  consideration  will  say  aye;  those  opposed,  no. 

4.  More  than  one-third  voting  in  the  affirmative,  the  ayes  have  it  and  the 

question  (report,  etc.)  is  before  the  Assembly  for  consideration. 

5.  Two-thirds  voting  in  the  negative,  the  noes  have  it  and  the  Assembly  refuses 

to  consider. 

III.  CLOSE  DEBATE.    (See  Lesson  XX.) 

1.  Applies  to  all  debatable  questions. 

2.  Can  not  be  debated. 

3.  Can  be  amended  and  reconsidered^^ 

4.  At  the  time  fixed,  cuts  off  debate  and  amendments  and  brings  the  question  or 

questions  to  which  it  is  applied,  to  a  vote. 

5.  Applies  to  a  motion  and  its  amendments,  unless  limited  by  the  mover. 

6.  Requires  a  two-thirds  vote. 

IV.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  that  the  debate  be  now  closed  (or,  closed  at  10:30). 

2.  I  move  to  amend  by  striking  out  "  thirty." 

3.  Two-thirds  voting  in  the  affirmative,  the  ayes  have  it,  and  debate  will  close 

at  10:30. 


\ 


20  A   PAELIAMENTAKY   SYLLABUS. 

SYLLABUS  — LESSON    V.    . 
LAY  ON  THE  TABLE  — TAKE  FROM  THE  TABLE  —  RECESS. 

I.  L  ATX  ON  THE  TABLE: 

1.  Tabling  any  question  tables  every  other  vitally  connected  question  ;  e.  g. 

Amendjnent  tabled,  carries  the  main  question  to  the  table. 

2.  Can  not  be  debated  or  amended. 

-Sr  YieldA.to  all  gtivaeg^nrHiimrtoMnl  Questions,  except  Object. 

4.  Carried,  can  not  be  Reconsidered,  but  question  must  be  Taken  from  the 

Table. 

5.  Lost,  can  l\e  Reconsidered,  before  the  question  is  changed  (by  amendment, 

etc.) ;  after  such  change  it  must  be  Renewed. 

II.  APPARENT  EXCEPTIONS  TO  ABOVE  RULES. 

Tabling  the  following  questions  Tables  nothing  else : 
Amendment  to  Minutes. 

2.  Amendment  to  Rules  (etc.)  already  adopted.  . 

3.  Appeal  (sustains  the  Chair). 
Reconsider.. 

5.  Question  of  Privilege. 
Repeal,  Rescind,  Expunge. 

III.  THE  FOLLOWING  QUESTIONS  CAN  NOT  BE  LAID  ON  THE  TABLE: 

1.  Adjourn. 

2.  Fix  Time  (Privileged). 

3.  Lay  on  the  Table. 

4/  Orders.of  the^Day  (as  a  class). 
sSPriority  of  Business  (questions  as  to). 

6.  Take  from  the  Table. 

IV.  TAKE  FROM  THE  TABLE. 

1.  Rules  I,  1-3  apply  also  to  Take  from  the  Table 

2.  Questions  Laid  on  the  Table  can  be  Taken  from  the  Table  during  the  same 

session,  when  no  other  question  is  pending. 

3.  In  organizations  with  sessions  not  longer  than  a  day,  and  as  often  as 

monthly,  the  best  practice  is  to  allow  any  question  to  be  taken  from  the 
Table  which  was  Laid  on  the  Table  at  the  previous- session. — R.  R. 

4.  Take  from  the  Table :  (a)  Lost,  can  be  Reconsidered  ;  (b)  Carried,  can  not 

be  Reconsidereo^but  the  question  can  be  again  Laid  on  the  Table. 

V.  FORMS.  H& 

ir  I  move  the  quesMPoe  Laid  on  the  Table. 
_  2.  I  move  the  report  of  the  Social  Committee  be  Taken  from  the  Table. 

VI.  RfECESS. 

1.  Precedes  all  questions  except  Fix  Time  (Privileged)  and  Adjourn. 

2.  Can  not  be  debated.    Can  be  amended. 

3.  The  "meeting"  after  a  Recess  is  not  another  but  the  same  "meeting." 

VII.  Fonts. 

1.  I  move  we  now  take  a  Recess  of  one  hour  (or,  till  7  P.  M.)- 


22  A   PAELlAMENTABY   SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    VI. 

POSTPONE  INDEFINITELY  — POSTPONE   DEFINITELY  — PART  I  OF 

RECONSIDER. 

I.  POSTPONE  INDEFINITELY: 

1.  Applies  only  to — 

(a)  Principal  Motions,  i.  e.  Motions  introducing  a  subject, 
(ft)  Questions  of  Privilege. 

2.  Yields  to  all  Privileged,  Incidental  and  Subsidiary  Questions,  except : 

(a)  Objection  to  Consideration. 
(6)  Amend. 

3.  Can  be  debated,  and  opens  the  main  question  to  debate. 

4.  Can  not  be  amended. 

5.  Can  be  reconsidered. 

II.  EFFECT  OF. POSTPONE  INDEFINITELY  AND  RELATED  MOTIONS. 

1.  The  Previous  Question  and  Close  Debate,  if  ordered,  apply  only  to  Postpone. 

2.  Lay  on  the  Table,  Commit  and  Postpone  Definitely,  applied  to  Postpone 

Indefinitely,  carry  the  main  question  also. 

3.  Postpone  Indefinitely  carried,  puts  aside  the  question  for  the  entire  session, 

unless  reconsidered. 

4.  Postpone  Indefinitely  lost,  leaves  the  main  question  before  the  Assembly  just 

as  it  was. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  the  question  (of  Privilege)  be  Indefinitely  Postponed. 

IV.  POSTPONE  DEFINITELY  (i.  e.  TO  A  CERTAIN  TIME). 

1.  Can  be  Amended,  Tabled,  Reconsidered. 

2.  Precedes  Commit,  Amend,  Indefinitely  Postpone. 

3.  Allows  limited  debate,  including  the  main  question  only  so  far  as  it  relates 

to  the  propriety  of  postponement. 

4.  A  question  can  be  postponed  to  any  time  during  the  session,  or  to  the  next 

session,  and  then  it  is  included  in  Unfinished  Business. 

5.  Previous  Question  (unless  limited  to  Postpone)  applies  to  the  main  question 

also. 

V.  FORMS. 

1.   I  move  the-  question  be  postponed  to  the  next  meeting. 

VI.  PART  I  OF  RECONSIDER^  (More  fully  treated  in  Lesson  XVI11.) 

1.   Reconsider  must  be  moved  (except  when  the  vote  was  by  ballot)  by  one  who 

voted  on  the  prevailing  {winning)  side.    Any  one  can  second  it. 
:>  2.  Reconsider  must  be  moved  on  the  same  day,  or  the  next. 

3.  Is  debatable,  when  the  main  question  is. 

4.  When  debatable  opens  the  main  question  to  debate. 

VII.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  to  Reconsider  (the  vote  on)  the  amendment. 

NOTE. — For  questions  which  can  not  be  Reconsidered,  see  page  7. 


24  A    PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 

SYLLABUS  — LESSON    VII. 
APPEAL. 

I.  APPEAL. 

1.  Every  decision  of  the  Chair  can  be  appealed  from,  except  decisions  made 

while  another  appeal  is  pending. 

2.  Any  member,  even  if  personally  affected  by  the  decision,  can  appeal. 

3.  Must  be  seconded  ("  I  second  the  appeal "). 

4.  An  Appeal  can  not  be  amended. 

5.  Tabling  an  Appeal  does  not  table  the  main  question,  but  sustains  the  Chair 

till  the  Appeal  is  taken  from  the  table  and  acted  on. 

6.  Previous  Question  and  Close  Debate,  applied  to  Appeal,  do  not  affect  the 

main  question. 

7.  Reconsidering  an  Appeal  does  not  Reconsider  the  main  question. 

8.  A  Tie-vote  sustains  the  Chair,  even  if  caused  by  the  vote  of  the  Chairman. — 

R.  R.    (See  Note.) 

9.  The  Chair  is  not  obliged  to  decide  a  Point  of  Order,  or  Question  of  Privi- 

lege.   May  avoid  friction  and  Appeal  by  at  once  putting  such  questions 
to  vote  without  a  motion.    (FORMS  6,  7.) 

10.  Appeals  are  Undebatable,  if  relating  to : 

(a)  Indecorum. 

(&)  Rules  of  Debate. 

(c)  Priority  of  Business ;  or : 

(d)  If  made  while  any  undebatable  question  is  pending.— H.  M.  R. 

11.  If  debatable,  no  member  shall  speak  more  than  once. 

12.  Whether  debatable  or  not,  the  Chairman  has  the  right  to  state  the  reasons 

for  his  decision  (without  leaving  'the  chair),  before  putting  the  question 
on  the  appeal. 

II.  FORMS. 

1.  I  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  Chair.    (I  second  the  appeal.) 

2.  Chairman:  The  decision  of  the  Chair  is  appealed  from.    The  question  is, 

Shall  the  decision  of  the  Chair  stand  as  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly? 
Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

3.  Chairman :  All  in  favor  of  sustaining  the  decision  of  the  Chair,  say  aye,  etc. 

4.  Chairman :  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  decision  of  the  Chair  is  sustained. 

5.  Chairman:  The  noes  have  it,  and  the  decision  of  the  Chair  is  overruled. 

6.  The  Chair  is  in  doubt.    All  who  believe  the  amendment  to  be  in  order, 

say  aye,  etc.    (See  9,  above.) 

7.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  Assembly  has  decided  the  amendment  to  be  in 

order.    The  question  now  recurs  on  the  adoption  of  the  amendment, 
striking  out  the  word  "Railways"  and  inserting  "Corporations."  *  Ar6 
you  ready,  etc.? 
NOTE. — The  rule  is  :   The  Chair  can  vote  whenever  his  vote  would  change  the 

result — also  in  balloting,  and  voting  by  yeas  and  nays.    In  the  latter  case, 

the  Chairman's  name  should  be  called  last. 


26  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    VIII. 
WITHDRAWAL  OF  A  MOTION. 

I.   BEFORE  A  MOTION  is  STATED,  the  maker 'can,  with  consent  of  the  second: 

1.  Withdraw,  amend  or  completely  change,  any  question. 

2.  If  the  second  objects,  withdrawal  fails,  and  the  Chair  states  the  question. 
IT.   AFTER  A  QUESTION  is  STATED,  and  before  it  is  affected  by  amendment  or 

other  motion : 

1.  The  maker  can  Withdraw,  Amend  or  Substitute — by  general  consent. 

2.  If  any  one  objects,  Leave  to  Withdraw,  etc.,  may  be  granted: 

(a)  By  formal  motion  and  vote. 

(&)  Informally,  by  vote  without  motion. 

3.  Withdrawal  may  be  made  at  (or  without)  the  suggestion  of  the  Chair,  or 

other  member,  who  may  give  very  briefly  reasons  for  such  request. 

4.  All  motions  and  requests  relating  to  Withdrawal,  etc.,  are  undebatable. 

III.  OBJECTS  AND  EFFECTS  OF  WITHDRAWAL. 

1.   If  withdrawal  fails,  the  question  to  which  it  applied,  remains  before  the 

/       Assembly. 
[/».   A  motion  withdrawn,  is  as  if  it  had  never  been  made. 

3.  Objects:  To  cut  off  burning  topics;  give  way  to  urgent  business;  relieve 
the  mover  of  responsibility;  amend  most  easily  and  quickly;  change 
unamendable  motions  ;  e.  g.  withdraw  Adjourn  and  move  Recess. 

IV.  FORMS. 

1.  (Obtaining  the  floor).     I  wish  to  withdraw  the  motion. 

2.  I  wish  the  member  would  withdraw  the  motion  so  as  to  allow  the  Report,  etc. 

3.  I  wish  the  member  would  amend  the  instructions  so  that  the  Committee,  etc. 

4.  (Before  the.  motion  is  stated  by  the  Chair).    Chairman:    Does  the  second 

consent $ 

5.  (After  the  question  is  stated  by  the  Chair).    Chairman:     Is  there  any 

objection? 

6.  Chairman:    There  being  no  objection,  the  motion  is  withdrawn  (amended). 

7.  I  move  the  gentleman  be  allowed  to  withdraw  the  motion. 

8.  (When  a  member  wishes  to  withdraw  a  motion,  and  there  is  objection.) 

Chairman,  without  waiting  for  a  motion  to  allow,  etc. ,  may  say :  Shall 
the  member  be  granted  leave,  etc.  ?  All  in  favor,  etc.  The  ayes  fcave  it, 
and  the  motion  is  withdrawn. 


28  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    IX. 
AMEND  BY  DIVISION. 

I.  AMEND  BY  DIVISION. 

1.  The  Division  of  a  question  is  a  form  of  amendment  used  to  secure  separate 

votes  on  different  parts  of  a  motion  or  resolution. 

2.  All  laws  which  apply  to  other  amendments,  apply  also  to  Division. 

3.  No  member  can  insist  upon  the  division  of  any  question. 

4.  The  Chairman  has  no  more  right  to  decide  how  a  motion  or  resolution  shall 

be  divided,  than  to  decide  the  form  of  any  other  amendment. 

5.  A  Division  must  be  made  on  a  motion  specifying  how  the  question  is  to  be 

divided. 

6.  A  motion  to  Divide  can  be  amended,  as  to — 

(a)  The  number  of  parts  into  which  the  question  is  to  be  divided. 

(b)  The  place  where  each  part  ends. 

7.  The  parts  into  which  a  question  is  divided  must  be  so  independent  that  an 

Assembly  can  act  upon  either,  if  all  the  other  parts  fail. 

8.  Instead  of  dividing  a  question  the  same  result  can  usually  be  better  reached 

by  some  other  form  of  amendment. 

9.  If  the  motion  to  divide  is  carried  each  part  is  treated  as  an  independent  mo- 

tion or  resolution,  i.  e.  the  first  part  is  debated,  amended  and  fully  dis- 
posed of,  before  the  second  part  can  be  considered. 
10.    The  following  can  not  be  divided: 

(a)  A  motion  and  its  amendments. 

(b)  To  Commit  and  Instruct. 

(c)  To  Strike  out  and  Insert. 

(d)  A  Preamble  can  not  be  divided  from  the  Resolutions  it  introduces. 

II.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  to  divide  the  resolution  into  three  parts,  the  first  ending  with  the 

word  "franchise,"  and  the  second  with  the  word  "audited." 
NOTE. — Since  the  last  part  must  end  with  the  last  word  of  the  resolution,  that 
ending  should  not  be  included  in  the  motion  to  divide. 

2.  The  ayes  have  it  and  the  resolution  is  divided  into  three  parts.     The  ques- 

tion now  recurs  on  the  first  part,  "  Resolved,  That  mugwumps  are  the 
hope  of  the  nation."    Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 


30  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS —LESSON    X. 
SUBSTITUTE. 

I.  A  SUBSTITUTE: 

1.  Is  an  amendment,  and  subject  to  all  laws  of  amendments. 

2.  Is  Strike  out  and  Insert  on  a  larger  scale. 

3.  Substitutes  another  paragraph,  resolution,  article,  report,  etc.,  on  the  same 

subject,  for  the  one  pending. 

4.  Where  only  a  few  words  are  changed  it  is  best  to  use  the  form  Strike  out  and 

Insert.    (Lesson  II.) 

•.r  5.  A  Substitute  may  be  amended,  but  an  amendment  to  a  Substitute  can  not 

be  amended. 

6.  A  Substitute  for  an  amendment  may  be  offered,  and  is  treated  as  any  other 
amendment  to  an  amendment. 

V  7.  While  an  amendment  is  pending,  a  Substitute  can  not  be  offered  for  the  reso- 
lution (or  part  of  it),  or  for  the  resolution  and  amendment  (R.R.);  but  the 
amendment  must  first  be  voted  on,  and  then  (whether  the  amendment  be 
carried  or  lost)  a  Substitute  for  the  resolution  will  be  in  order. 

8.  A  Substitute  is  debatable  if  the  main  question  is. 

9.  The  following  questions  applied  to  a  Substitute  cover  the  main  question  also : 

(a)  Lay  on  the  Table. 

(b)  Postpone  to  a  Certain  Time. 

(c)  Commit. 

(d)  Previous  Question  (unless  limited). 

(e)  Close  Debate  (unless  limited). 

10.  Postpone  Indefinitely  is  not  in  order  while  a  Substitute  is  pending. 

II.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  to  substitute  for  the  amendment  the  following  words:   "Whenever 

a  majority  of  the  tax-payers  shall  make  such  a  request,  etc." 

2.  I  move  the  adoption  of  the  following  (as  a)  substitute  for  the  fourth  resolu- 

tion: "Resolved,  That  we  repudiate,  etc.". 

NOTE.— The  most  important  and  most  difficult  rules  to  apply  to  Substitutes 
are  adapted  from  Lesson  II : 

1.  A  Substitute  may  be  Hostile  (i.  e.  directly  opposed)  to  the  original  mo- 
tion; 

2.  But  must  be  GERMANE,  i.  e.  have  a  direct  bearing  on  the  subject  of  the 
original  motion. 


32  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 

SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XL 
PERMANENT  ORGANIZATION  —  CONSTITUTION. 

I.  TEMPORARY  ORGANIZATION,  ETC. 

1.  Organize  as  in  Lesson  I,  adding  " pro  tern"  to  "  Chairman"  and  "Sec." 

2.  The  Chairman  may  (call  on  some  one  to)  state  the  object  of  the  meeting. 

3.  Some  one  may  move  the  adoption  of  a  resolution  of  this  kind:   "Resolved, 

That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  a  Current  Events  Club  should 
be  formed,  etc.";  which  can  be  debated,  amended  and  put  to  vote. 

4.  (After  this  vote,  or  omitting  2  or  3,  or  both.)    A  member  should  say:  I  move 

a  Committee  of  (3)  on  Constitution  (and  By-Laws)  be  appointed  by  the 
Chair,  to  report  as  soon  as  possible. 

5.  The  Committee  may  report  at  once  a  Constitution  already  prepared,  or  the 

Assembly  may  now  adjourn,  and  hear  the  report  at  the  next  meeting. 

6.  The  Chair,  when  notified  that  the  Committee  is  ready,  announces  that  the 

Assembly  will  now  hear  the  report. 

II.  ADOPTION  OF  CONSTITUTION. 

1.  The  Report  should  be  read  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  (or  Chair- 

man or  Secretary  of  the  Assembly). 

2.  Member:  "  I  move  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  as  reported."    (Second.; 

3.  "It  is  moved  and  seconded  that  the  Constitution  as  read  be  adopted.    Are 

you  ready  for  the  question  ?  " 

4.  The  Chairman  should  then  read  Article  I,  and  ask:  "Are  there  any  Amend- 

ments to  Article  I."    (If  Article  is  divided,  read  one  Section  at  a  time.) 

5.  After  amendments  and  debate  on  this  Article,  the  Chair  should  ask:   "Are 

there  any  other  amendments  to  Article  I  ? "  If  not,  read  the  other 
Articles  in  their  order,  voting  on  the  Amendments  to  each  Article  (or  Sec- 
tion) before  reading  the  next. 

6.  No  amendment  is  in  order  (during  this  reading)  except  to  the  Article  (or 

Section)  last  read. 

7.  A  motion  to  adopt  a  reported  Article  (or  Section)  is  not  in  order. 

8.  A  motion  to  adopt  an  additional  Article  (or  Section)  is  not  in  order.    In  this 

case  the  proper  form  is:  "I  move  to  amend  the  Constitution  by  adding 
(inserting)  the  following :  'ARTICLE  VII,  Quorum,  etc.'" 

9.  After  separately  reading  and  amending  all  the  Articles  in  their  order,  the 

Constitution  as  amended  should  be  read,  when  all  parts  are  open  to 
amendments  and  debate. 

10.  The  Chair  then  puts  the  question  on  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  as 

amended. 

11.  After  adopting  a  Constitution  no  business  is  in  order  except  Adjourn  and 

Recess ;  to  enable  intending  members  to  comply  with  the  conditions  of 
membership ;  e.  g.  sign  the  Constitution — pay  initiation  fee. 

12.  By  a  two-thirds  vote  this  order  may  be  suspended,  and  the  whole  Constitu- 

tion be  read,  debated  and  open  to  amendment. — R.  R. 

13.  Members  joining  a  Society  before  the  first  roll-call  or  business  meeting  are 

exempt  from  conditions  of  membership  at  that  time  impossible;  e.g.  rules 
requiring  names  to  be  recommended  by  two  members,  endorsed  by  Com- 
mittee on  Membership,  etc.,  do  not  affect  "  Charter  Members." 


\ 


34  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 

SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XII. 

ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS. 

I.  NOMINATIONS. 

1.  Chairman  (after  reading,  correction,  etc.,  of  Minutes  —  Lesson  XIV):  The 

next  business  is  the  election  of  officers.  Mr.  A.  and  Miss  B.  will  please 
act  as  Tellers.  (Tellers  should  promptly  distribute  and  collect  ballots.) 

2.  If  there  be  a  Nominating  Committee  it  will  now  report. 

3.  Whether  there  be  a  Nominating  Committee  or  not — nominations  from  the 

floor  are  in  order ;  (and  voting  is  not  confined  to  persons  nominated. — 
H.  M.  R.) 

4.  Nominations  should  be  seconded,  unless  omitted  by  general  consent. 

5.  Instead  of  a  Nominating  Committee,  or  nominations  from  the  floor,  AN 

INFORMAL  BALLOT  (which  does  not  elect)  is  the  best  form  of  nomination 
to  avoid  friction,  insure  free  expression  of  the  will  of  the  Assembly,  and 
block  "close  corporation"  schemes. 

II.  ELECTIONS. 

1.  Chairman  (after  nominations) :  Please  prepare  your  ballots  for  President. 

2.  The  Tellers  collect  and  count  ballots,  and  hand  report  to  Chairman. 

3.  Chairman  reads  report,  states  result,  and,  if  no  election,  orders  another 

ballot. 

4.  Blanks  are  not  counted  or  reported. 

5.  Imperfect  ballots  are  counted  for  the  person  intended,  in  the  judgment  of 

the  Tellers.    Doubtful  cases  are  decided  by  the  Assembly. — GUSHING. 

6.  A  majority  of  the  votes  cast  elects,  whether  the  person  was  nominated  or 

not,  unless  the  Constitution,  or  by-laws,  provides  otherwise. 

7.  Any  eligible  member  may  be  voted  for  and  elected  on  any  ballot,  whether 

receiving  many  or  few  votes,  or  none — on  previous  ballots. 

8.  Officers  are  elected  in  their  order,  each  assuming  office  as  soon  as  elected, 

unless  the  Society  has  a  rule  or  custom  to  the  contrary. 

9.  Secretary  may  be  directed  to  cast  the  vote  of  the  Assembly  for  Mr. ,  if 

only  one  is  nominated.  But  a  single  objection,  or  one  negative  vote,  pre- 
vents such  balloting. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  Chairman:   Nominations  for  President  are  now  in  order. 

2.  I  move  we  now  proceed  to  an  informal  ballot  for  President. 

3.  Chairman:  Mr.  B.  has  7  votes;  Miss  C.,  2;  Mr.  D.,  8.    The  whole  number 

of  votes  is  17 ;  required  to  elect,  9.  No  one  receiving  that  number,  there 
is  no  election.  Prepare  your  ballots,  etc. 

4.  Chairman  (after  reading  the  returns):    The  number  of  votes  required  to 

elect,  11.  Mr.  A.  B.  Jones,  receiving  13  votes,  is  elected  President.  Mr. 
Jones  will  please  come  forward  and  take  the  Chair  (except  where  elections 
occur  before  new  term  of  office  begins). 

5.  I  move  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  cast  the  vote  of  the  Assembly  for  Mr.  A. 
NOTE. — When  elections  follow  Organization  (Lesson  XI),  only  those  who 

have  complied  with  the  conditions'  of  membership  Now  POSSIBLE  (see  II, 
13,  on  page  it*)  can  take  any  part  in  the  proceedings.  If  desired,  the 
Secretary  should  call  the  roll  to  show  who  are  entitled  to  vote. 


30  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 

SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XIII. 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS  — SPECIAL  ORDER  — QUORUM. 

I.  ORDER  OF  BUSINESS,  where  no  special  order  has  been  adopted: 

1.  Calling  to  Order  by  the  Chair. 

2.  Reading,  Correction  and  Approval  of  minutes  of  previous  day  (or  meeting) . 

3.  Reports  of  Standing  Committees  (in  their  regular  order). 

4.  Reports  of  Select  Committees. 

5.  Unfinished  Business  (including  all  Postponed  to  this  meeting). 

6.  New  Business  (including  business  Laid  on  the  Table  at  a  previous  meeting 

and  now  Taken  from  the  Table  —  where  this  custom  prevails). 

7.  Adjourn. 

II.  RULES. 

1.  If  a  Chairman  rules  "Adjourn"  out  of  order  till  reached  in  the  regular 

course,  (a)  Move  to  Adjourn;  (b)  If  ruled  out,  Appeal. 

2.  This  secures  a  decision  by  the  supreme  court  —  the  Assembly  itself  —  and 

removes  a  source  of  friction.    Each  Assembly  should  settle  this  question 
for  itself. 

3.  If  the  ruling  of  the  Chair  is  sustained,  Adjourn  can  be  acted  on  at  any  time, 

by  suspending  the  rules  —  by  a  two-thirds  vote. 

4.  Business  should  be  called  for  by  the  Chair  in  the  regular  order,  but  may  be 

Laid  on  the  Table  by  a  majority  item  by  item,  but  not  as  a  whole,  or  as  a 
class. 

5.  By  suspension  of  Rules  (two-thirds  vote)  any  business  can  be  taken  up  out 

of  its  proper  order  at  any  time,  when  no  other  business  is  before  the 
Assembly. 

6.  The  Secretary  should  furnish  the  Chairman  with  a  list  of  committees  and  of 

all  business  which  should  come  up  for  action  at  the  meeting. 

7.  Trustees,  Boards,  etc.,  are  included  in  Standing  Committees. 

8.  Any  subject  made  a  "  Special  Order  "  for  a  meeting  takes  precedence  of  all 

other  business  except  reading  of  the  minutes,  and  can  be  called  up  at  any 
time,  even  when  a  member  has  the  floor. 

9.  If  the  Chairman  and  Vice-Chairman  are  absent,  the  Secretary  should  call 

to  order,  and  a  Chairman  pro  tern,  be  at  once  elected. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  Secretary  (calling  to  order):  Will  some  one  nominate  a  Chairman  pro  tern.  ? 

2.  I  move  the  reports  of  Standing  Committees  be  Laid  on  the  Table. 

3.  The  motion  is  out  of  order ;  only  one  report  can  be  tabled  in  a  single  motion. 

4.  I  move  to  Take  from  the  Table  the  resolutions  on  Charity  Bureau  work. 

5.  The  Chair  rules  that  questions  Taken  from  the  Table  come  under  New  Busi- 

ness, and  are  now  out  of  order. 

IV.  QUORUM. 

1.  Unless  a  Quorum  be  present,  no  business  is  in  order,  except  Adjourn,  Recess, 

Fix  Time,  and  measures  the  Assembly  may  adopt  to  secure  a  Quorum. 

2.  Each  Society  should  fix  the  number  constituting  a  Quorum.    In  the  absence 

of  such  a  rule,  a  Quorum  is  a  majority  of  the  members  (Committee). 

3.  The  presence  of  a  Quorum,  when  doubted,  is  ascertained  by  calling  the  roll. 


38  A   PARLIAMENTAKY    SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XIV. 

MINUTES. 

I.  MINUTES. 

1.  The  Chairman,  at  the  appointed  hour,  should  call  the  meeting  to  order  and 

say:  "  The  Minutes  will  now  be  read." 

2.  A  motion  to  dispense  with  the  reading  of  the  Minutes,  or  any  part  of  them 

(as  a  report,  a  petition),  is  in  order. 

3.  Chairman:    "  Are  there  any  corrections  to  the  Minutes?    (Waiting.)    If  not, 

they  stand  approved." 

4.  Corrections  or  amendments  may  be  suggested  by  the  Chairman,  or  any  other 

member ;  and  by  general  consent  are  made  in  the  Minutes,  by  direction  of 
the  Chair. 

5.  If  there  be  difference  of  opinion  as  to  any  proposed  amendment  of  the 

Minutes,  the  question  is  put  to  vote — with  or  without  a  motion. 

6.  All  corrections  and  amendments  of  Minutes  are  to  be  treated  as  any  other 

Amendments — subject  to  debate,  amendment,  and  other  motions. 

7.  Any  Parliamentary  Question  applied  to  an  amendment  does  not  apply  to  the 

Minutes;  e.  g.  an  amendment  tabled  does  not  table  the  Minutes. 

8.  There  is  no  time  limit  to  such  amendments — whenever  an  error  is  found  in 

the  Minutes,  it  is  in  order  to  correct  it. 

9.  It  is  not  usual  to  formally  move  to  approve  the  Minutes. 

10.  Minutes  should  always  give : 

(a)  Time  and  place  of  meeting ; 
(&)  Chairman  and  Secretary ; 

(c)  All  motions  carried  ;  and 

(d)  As  much  more  as  the  Society  wishes ; 

(e)  And  be  signed  by  the  Secretary  (and  Chairman). 

11.  What  more  the  Minutes  should  contain  depends  on  the  use  to  be  made  of 

them  (published?)  and  the  character  of  the  Assembly.     No  criticism  or 
praise  should  be  indulged  in  by  the  Secretary. 

II.  FORMS. 

1.  Chairman:    The  Secretary  will  read  the  Minutes. 

2.  I  move  the  reading  of  the  Minutes  be  dispensed  with. 

3.  Mr.  Henry's  name  should  be  added  to  the  Auditing  Committee. 

4.  Chairman :    The  Secretary  will  make  the  change  suggested. 

5.  Chairman :    If  there  are  no  further  corrections  the  Minutes  stand  approved. 

6.  I  move  all  comments  of  the  Secretary  on  the  debates  be  struck  out. 


40  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 

SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XV. 
QUESTIONS  OF  PRIVILEGE  —  CHANGING  A  VOTE. 

I.  QUESTIONS  OF  PRIVILEGE: 

1.  Relate  to  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Assembly,  or  of  any  of  its  mem- 

bers— as  members  of  the  Assembly. 

2.  Take  precedence  of  all  questions  except  Fix  Time,  Adjourn,  Recess. 

3.  If  requiring  immediate  action  : 

(a)  Take  precedence  of  all  questions. 

(&)  Are  in  order  when  another  has  the  floor. 

4.  Do  not  require  obtaining  the  floor,  or  a  second. 

5.  Are  at  once  decided  by  the  Chair. 

6.  If  necessary  the  Assembly  then  takes  action  on  a  motion  made  and  seconded 

as  usual. 

7.  All  subsidiary  Motions  apply  to  such  a  motion  on  Privilege,'but  do  not  affect 

the  question  pending  when  the  question  of  Privilege  was  raised. 

8.  All  Motions  and  Questions  of  Privilege : 

(a)  Can  be  debated. 
(&)  Can  be  amended. 

(c)  Can  be  reconsidered. 

(d)  Need  not  be  finally  settled,  when  raised. 

9.  As  soon  as  the  question  of  Privilege  is  disposed  of,  the  question  interrupted 

is  again  taken  up. 

II.  FORMS. 

1.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  rise  to  a  Question  of  Privilege. 

2.  Chairman :  Please  state  the  question. 

3.  The  open  windows  admit  so  much  noise  that  the  speaker  cannot  be  heard  in 

this  part  of  the  hall. 

4.  Chairman:     If  the  Assembly  wishes,  the  Chair  will  order  the  windows 

closed.     (Or:  The  janitor  will  please  close  the  windows.) 

5.  I  move  the  janitor  be  directed  to  close  the  windows  on  the  south  side  of  the 

hall. 

6.  I  move  to  amend  the  motion  by  inserting,  after  the  word  "close,"  the  words 

"the  lower  half  of." 

7.  (After  debate,  etc.)    I  move  the  amendment  be  laid  on  the  table. 

8.  Chairman :  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  lay  the  amendment  on  the  table ; 

which  would  also  carry  the  original  motion  to  the  table.    Are  you  ready 
for  the  question? 

III.  CHANGING  A  VOTE. 

1.  A  member  may  change  his  vote,   before  the  result  is  fully  and  finally 

announced :  but  not  after  such  final  announcement. 

2.  If  (a)  a  vote  is  taken  by  ayes  and  noes,  (b)  then  a  rising  vote,  (c)  and  finally 

the  yeas  and  nays  are  ordered  :   a  vote  can  be  changed  at  any  time 
before  the  result  of  the  last  vote  is  fully  announced  by  the  Chair. 


42  A   PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XVI. 
COMMIT  AND  COMMITTEES. 

I.  COMMITTEES. 

1.  Most  of  the  effective  work  of  Societies  is  done  through: 

(a)  Standing  Committees,  whose  names,  duties  and  powers  should  be  fixed 

in  the  By-Laws,  as  well  as  the  time  and  method  of  appointment. 

(b)  Select  Committees — appointed  for  special  service  as  occasion  demands. 

(c)  Committee  of  the  Whole. 

2.  Committees  may  be: 

(a)  Nominated  by  a  Nominating  Committee. 
(&)  Nominated  from  the  floor; 

(c)  Nominated  by  the  Chair ; 

(d)  Appointed  by  the  Chair. 

3.  Committees  are  elected  by  ayes  and  noes  unless  otherwise  ordered. 

4.  The  Chair  "appoints"  a  Committee  by  simply  naming  its  members,  but 

"  nominates  "  by  naming  and  taking  a  vote. 

5.  It  is  usually  best  to  have  the  Chair  appoint  Committees. 

II.  To  COMMIT.    RULES. 

1.  "  Commit"  is  debatable  and  opens  the  main  question  to  debate. 

2.  Can  be  amended  by 

(a)  Altering       j  the  Committee. 
(6)  Instructing  ) 

3.  "Commit"  may  be  moved  alone,  leaving  the  kind  of  Committee  to  be 

settled  afterwards. 

4.  One  motion  may  include  all  these  points;  e.g.  "I  move  the  petition  be 

referred  to  the  Library  Committee,  with  instructions,  etc." 

5.  If  different  Committees  are  suggested,  votes  should  be  taken  on: 

(a)  Committee  of  the  Whole ; 
(&)  Standing  Committee ; 
(c)  Select  Committee. 

6.  The  Secretary  should  notify  each  member  of  the  Committee,  and  give  Chair- 

man of  Committee  all  papers  and  instructions,  and,  if  a  Special  Com- 
mittee, a  list  of  its  members. 

7.  The  first  person  named  is  Chairman  until  the  Committee  meets ;  and  perma- 

nently, unless  at  its  first  meeting  the  Committee  elects  another  Chairman. 

8.  Each  Committee  can  appoint  Sub-committees,   which  report  only  to  the 

appointing  Committee. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  the  proposal  be  referred  to  the  Trustees. 

2.  I  move  the  Club  resolve  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  on  renting  a 

hall. 

3.  I  move  to  amend  (the  motion  to  commit)  by  instructing  ^the  Committee,  etc. 

4.  I  move  to  amend  the  instructions  by  inserting  after the  words . 

5.  Chairman:  Of  how  many  shall  the  Committee  consist? 


44  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 


\  B  R  A 

ERSITT 

"SYLLABUS — LESSON  xvn. 

ADJOURN,  UNQUALIFIED  — ADJOURN,  QUALIFIED. 

I.  ADJOURN  (UNQUALIFIED): 

1.  Precedes  all  questions  except  Fix  Time  to  which  to  Adjourn  (Privileged). 

2.  While  Adjourn  is  pending  the  following  questions  are  in  order: 

(a)  Withdrawal  of  Motion  to  Adjourn. 

(b)  Enter  "  Reconsider"  on  Minutes.  -• 
(e)  To  Fix  Time  (Privileged). 

(d)  Motion  as  to  how  vote  shall  be  taken. 
(Also,  if  requiring  immediate  action :) 

(e)  Appeals. 

(/)  Parliamentary  Inquiries. 
(g)  Questions  of  Order. 
(h)  Questions  of  Privilege.. 

3.  Cannot  be  Amended,  Debated  or  Reconsidered. 

4.  Can  be  renewed  after  other  business,  or  progress  in  debate. 

Forms.  I  move  to  adjourn.    The  ayes  have  it,  and  we  stand  adjourned  (to 
8  P.  M.). 

II.  ADJOURN  (QUALIFIED) — FIVE  FORMS. 

1.  To  Adjourn  sine  die.    When  Adjourn,  whatever  form  the  motion  may  have, 

has  the  effect  of  dissolving  the  Assembly,  it  loses  all  privilege ;  can  be 
debated,  amended,  tabled,  etc.— H.  M.  R.  AND  REED. 

2.  To  Adjourn  at  a  time. 

3.  To  Adjourn  to  a  time. 

4.  To  Adjourn  to  a  place. 

5.  Any  desired  combination  of  1,,  2,  3,  4. 

6.  Adjourn  (qualified)  has  no  privilege  and  precedes  nothing, 

7.  Can  be  debated  and  amended. 

8.  Yields  to  all  Privileged,  Incidental  and  Subsidiary  Questions,  except  Post- 

pone Indefinitely,  and  Object  to  Consideration. 

9.  Can  be  Reconsidered,  except  affirmative  vote  on  1,  3,  4. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  that  we  Adjourn  sine  die  (or,  without  day)  at  5  P.  M. 

2.  I  move  we  Adjourn  to  meet  at  10  A.  M.,  July  6th. 

3.  I  move  we  adjourn  at  9  P.  M.,  to  meet  at  the  Elgin  Opera  House,  at  7 

P.  M.,  September  23d. 

4.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  Club  will -adjourn  at  9  P.  M.,  etc. 

5.  (At  the  time  fixed.)    The  time  for  adjournment  has  come,  and  the  Club 

stands  adjourned  to  7  P.  M.,  September  23d,  at  the  Elgin,  etc. 


46  A   PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  —  LESSON    XVIII. 

RECONSIDER  —  (MORE  FULLY  TREATED). 

I.  RECONSIDER. 

1.  If  any  Assembly  wishes  to  modify  or  annul  any  action  already  taken,  the 

usual  course  is  to  Reconsider. 

'•2.  "  Reconsider  "  must  be  moved  (except  where  vote  was  by  ballot)  by  one  who 
voted  on  the  prevailing  side,  whether  majority  or  minority;  e.g.  If  18 
vote  for  and  12  against  Previous  Question  (requiring  two-thirds  vote)  one 
of  the  12  must  move  to  Reconsider. 

3.  Where  the  vote  was  by  ballot,  any  member  may  move  to  Reconsider. 

4.  Any  member  can  second  Reconsider. 

-   5.   Must  be  moved  on  the  day  on  which  the  vote  to  be  Reconsidered  was  taken, 
or  on  the  next  day;  legal  holidays  not  counting. 

6.  To  Reconsider  a  debatable  question  is  debatable,  and  opens  the  main  ques- 

tion to  debate. 

7.  "Reconsider"  needs  only  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast,  even  when  the  ques- 

tion reconsidered  requires  two-thirds,  or  a  still  larger  vote. 

II.  EFFECT  AND  ORDER  OF  RECONSIDERATION. 

1.  An  Amendment,  if  voted  on,  must  be  reconsidered  before  an  amendment  to 

this  amendment^can  be  Reconsidered. 

2.  The  main  question,  if  voted  on,  must  be  Reconsidered  before  an  amendment 

can  be  Reconsidered. 

3.  General  Rule.    No  vote  can  be  Reconsidered,  without  first  Reconsidering  — 

in  inverse  order  —  all  subsequent  votes  which  affect  the  question  to  be 
Reconsidered.  Example:  (If  amendments  and  resolution  have  been 
voted  on  :)  Before  an  amendment  to  an  amendment  can  be  Reconsidered, 
Reconsider  must  be  carried  (1)  on  the  resolution  ;  (2)  on  the  amendment  — 
then  (3)  the  amendment  to  the  amendment  can  be  Reconsidered. 

4.  Reconsider,  lost,  leaves  the  main  question  as  it  was  before  Reconsider  was 

moved. 

5.  Reconsider,  carried,   places  the  question   reconsidered    again   before  the 

Assembly,  just  as  it  stood  before  it  was  voted  on. 

i~~pA>  6.   The  effect  of  moving  to  Reconsider  is  to  suspend  all  action  required  by  the 
(  original  motion,  till  Reconsider  is  acted  on,  or  lapses  by  passing  the  time 

limit. 

)  7.  Reconsider  may  be  "  moved  and  entered  on  the  minutes  "  for  future  action, 
whatever  question  is  pending,  even  while  another  has  the  floor. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  to  Reconsider  the  (vote  on  the)  amendment  (to  the  amendment). 

2.  The  ayes  have  it  and  the  amendment  is  again  before  the  Assembly. 

3.  I  move  to  Reconsider  the  vote  on  the  Prohibition  Platform,  and  wish  the 

motion  entered  on  the  Minutes. 
NOTE.  —  For  list  of  questions  which  can  not  be  Reconsidered,  see  page  7. 


T 

/" 


48  A  PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XIX. 
FIX  TIME  (AND  PLACE)  TO  WHICH  TO  ADJOURN. 

I.  To  Fix  TIME  is: 

1.  Privileged — if  made  when  another  question  is  pending. 

2.  Unprivileged — if  made  when  no  other  question  is  pending. 

II.  Fix  TIME,  PRIVILEGED — (i.  e.  made  when  another  question  is  pending): 

1.  Precedes  all  other  questions:  is  in  order  while  Adjourn  is  pending,  and 

even  after  it  is  voted  to  adjourn,  before  the  result  is  fully  stated. 

2.  Can  not  be  debated. 

3.  Can  be  amended,  but  no  other  Subsidiary  motion  applies  to  it. 

4.  Can  be  Reconsidered. 

5.  Can  not  be  made  while  another  has  the  floor. 

6.  While  Fix  Time  is  pending,  to  enter  Reconsider  on  the  minutes,  is  in  order: 

also  the  following  questions,  if  requiring  immediate  action  : 
(a)  Appeals. 
(&)  Motions  as  to  Mode  of  Voting. 

(c)  Parliamentary  Inquiries. 

(d)  Points  of  Order. 

(e)  Questions  of  Privilege. 

(/)  Withdrawal  of  Motion  to  Fix  Time. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  that  when  we  adjourn  we  adjourn  to  (meet  at)  9  A.  M.,  August  4th. 

2.  Entry  in  Minutes.    "On  motion  of  Mr.  A.,  the  Club  fixed  the  time  to 

which  to  adjourn  at  9  A.  M.,  August  4th." 

IV.  Fix  TIME,  UNPRIVILEGED—^',  e.  made  when  no  other  question  is  pending): 

1.  Is  a  Principal  Motion,  and  yields  to  the  usual  Parliamentary  questions. 

2.  Precedes  nothing. 

3.  Can  be  Debated,  Amended  and  Reconsidered. 

4.  The  Forms  are  the  same  as  in  Fix  Time  Privileged. 

NOTE  A. — Avoid  if  possible  combining  " Fix  Time"  with  "  Adjourn";    e.  g. 

"I  move  to  adjourn  to  7  P.  M."    The  best  plan  is  first  to  Fix  the  Time, 

and  then  "Adjourn"  will  find  the  Assembly  prepared. 
NOTE  B. — Fix  the  Place  to  which  to  Adjourn  is  Privileged  or  Unprivileged, 

just  as  Fix  Time  is:  and  all  the  above  rules  apply  equally  to  this  motion. 

— H.  M.  R.    Or  Time  and  Place  can  both  be  fixed  in  one  motion ;  e.  g. 

"I  move  that  when  we  adjourn  we  adjourn  to  meet  at  the  Temple,  on 

November  10th,  at  8  P.  M." 


50  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XX. 

EXTEND,   LIMIT,   AND  CLOSE  DEBATE. 

I.  EXTEND,  LIMIT  AND  CLOSE  DEBATE  : 

1.  Apply  to  all  debatable  questions. 

2.  Rank  next  below  the  Previous  Question. — H.  M.  R. 

3.  Require  a  two-thirds  vote. 

4.  Can  be  Amended  and  Reconsidered,  by  a  majority  vote. 

5.  Can  not  be  debated. 

6.  Unless  limited  by  the  mover,  Apply  to  a  motion  and  its  amendments. 

II.  LIMIT  DEBATE — May  Limit: 

1.  The  length  of  each  speech  (to  five  minutes). 

2.  The  number  of  speeches  (to  two  on  each  side). 

3.  The  whole  debate  (to  30  minutes — which  is  really  "closing  debate"  in  30 

minutes). 

4.  FORM.    I  move  debate  be  limited  to  one-minute  speeches. 

III.  CLOSE  DEBATE  : 

1.  Closes  Debate  at  a  time,  or  in  a  certain  time. 

2.  When  the  time  fixed  for  closing  debate  comes,  this  motion  has  the  same 

effect  as  the  Previous  Question,  i.  e.  cuts  off  debate  and  amendments,  and 
brings  the  pending  question  or  questions  to  vote. 

IV.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  that  debate  be  now  closed. 

2.  I  move  to  amend  by  striking  out  the  words  "now  closed"  and  inserting  the 

words  " closed  in  ten  minutes "  (or  "closed  at  2  P.  M."). 

3.  (At  the  time  fixed)  Chairman :  The  time  for  closing  debate  has  come,  and 

the  question  before  us  is  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions  on  Temperance. 
Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

V.  EXTEND  DEBATE — May  Apply  to? 

1.  The  length  of  a  single  speech,  or  of  all  speeches. 

2.  The  times  a  member  or  members  may  speak. 

3.  The  whole  time  fixed  for  debate — on  the  program,  or  by  vote. 

VI.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  the  member  be  allowed  five  minutes  to  finish  his  speech 

2.  I  move  the  time  for  consideration  of  this  report  be  extended  to  11 : 30. 


52  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XXI. 

THE  PREVIOUS  QUESTION  (MORE  FULLY   STATED)  — PREVIOUS   QUES- 
TION AND  RECONSIDER. 

I.  THE  PREVIOUS  QUESTION: 

1.  Means:  Stop  debating,  stop  amending,  and  vote. 

2.  Applies  to  all  debatable  questions,  and  no  others. 

3.  If  Laid  on  the  Table,  carries  the  main  question  with  it. 

4.  Its  effect  is  to  bring  the  pending  question  or  questions  to  an  immediate  vote. 

5.  It  can  not  be  debated,  or  amended,  postponed  or  committed. 

_..,6.  Previous  Question,  ordered  on  Commit  or  Amend,  applies  to  the  main  ques- 
tion also,  unless  limited  by  the  mover  of  the  Previous  Question. 
7.   Previous  Question,  ordered  on  the  following  questions,  does  not  affect  the 
main  question : 
(a)  Appeals. 
(&)  Postpone  Definitely. 

(c)  Postpone  Indefinitely. 

(d)  Questions  of  Privilege. 

(e)  Reconsider. 

II.  PREVIOUS  QUESTION  AND  RECONSIDER. 

1.  Previous  Question,  lost,  can  be  Reconsidered. 

2.  Previous  Question,  carried,  can  be  Reconsidered  before  voting  under  it 

begins. 

3.  While  Previous    Question   is   in  force,   any  vote  taken  under  it  can  be 

Reconsidered,  subject  to  the  Previous  Question ;  i.  e.  without  debate  or 
amendment. 

4.  When  votes  have  been  taken  on  all  questions  to  which  it  applies,  the  Pre- 

vious Question  is  exhausted,  and  has  no  further  effect  on  any  question. 

5.  After  Previous  Question  is  exhausted,  votes  previously  taken  under  it,  if 

Reconsider  is  moved  on  them,  are  treated  as  if  Previous  Question  had 
never  been  ordered. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  the  Previous  Question  (on  the  amendment). 

2.  The  question  before  the  Assembly  is,  Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put? 

All  in  favor,  etc. 

3.  Shall  the  question  be  now  put  on  the  amendment? 

4.  The  ayes  have  it  and  the  Previous  Question  is  ordered  (on  the  amendment). 


54  A   PARLIAMENTARY  SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON   XXII. 

SUSPEND  RULES,  BY-LAWS,  CONSTITUTION,  ETC. 

I.  To  SUSPEND  CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS. 

1.  No  Assembly  has  the  power  to  suspend  the  Constitution,  or  any  part  of  it — 

even  by  a  unanimous  vote. 

2.  The  By-Laws  can  not  be  suspended,  except  where  they  provide  by  a  special 

rule  for  the  suspension  of  one  or  more  specified  By-Laws. 

3.  Care  should  be  taken  to  include  in  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  only  such 

Rules  as  an  Assembly  will  never  need  to  suspend. 

4.  If  Constitution  or  By-Laws  contain  orders  in  the  nature  of  Rules,  it  should 

be  allowed  to  suspend  them;  e.g.  the  Time  of  Meeting,  Order  of  Business, 
etc. 

II.  To  SUSPEND  RULES  OP  ORDER. 

1.  Certain  Rules  of  Order  can  be  suspended  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  for  a  definite 

object,  stated  in  the  motion  to  Suspend. 

2.  No  Rules  involving  Parliamentary  Law  or  Principles  can  be  suspended. — 

H.  M.  R. 

(a)  An  undebatable  question  can  not  be  made  debatable,  by  suspension  of 

Rules. 

(b)  An  un  amendable  question  can  not  be  made  amendable,  by  suspending 
the  Rules. 

(c)  The  Order  of  Precedence  of  Motions  can  not  be  changed  by  suspension. 

(d)  Rules  as  to  the  Rights  of  Chairman,  Secretary  or  members,  can  not  be 

suspended. 

3.  It  is  in  order,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  to  Suspend  Rules  and  — 

(a)  Allow  visitors  the  right  to  debate,  but  not  to  vote. 

(&)  Change  the  hour  for  Closing  Debate  on  a  subject,  or  for  Recess,  etc. 

(c)  Take  up  any  particular  business  out  of  its  proper  order. 

4.  "  Suspend  Rules"  can  not  be  Reconsidered,  Amended  or  Debated. 

5.  Can  not  be  renewed  for  the  same  purpose  at  the  same  meeting. 

6.  Can  be  Laid  on  the  Table. 

7.  Rules  passed  by  a  superior,  cannot  be  suspended  by  a  subordinate,  body. 

8.  No  rule  conferring  rights  on  one-third  or  less  of  the  members,  can  be  sus- 

pended, except  by  unanimous  vote,  or  general  consent. 

III.  FORMS. 

1.  I  move  to  Suspend  the  Rules  and  take  up  the  resolutions  on  Municipal 

Reform. 

2.  I  move  to  Suspend  the  Rules  and  allow  the  delegation  from  the  Bureau  of 

Charities  to  take  part  in  the  debate. 

3.  The  ayes  have  it,  the  rules  are  suspended,  and  the  question  before  us  is  on 

the  adoption  of  the  resolutions,  etc.     Are  you  ready,  etc.  ? 

IV.  STANDING  RULES: 

1.  May  be  suspended  at  any  time  by  a  majority  vote. 


56  A   PARLIAMENTARY    SYLLABUS. 


SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XXIII. 

TO    AMEND    CONSTITUTION,    BY-LAWS,    RULES    OF    ORDER,    AND 

STANDING    RULES. 

I.  CONSTITUTION,  BY-LAWS  AND  RULES  OF  ORDER: 

1.  Can  be  amended  only  at  a  regular  (stated)  business  meeting. 

2.  Written  notice  of  the  proposed  amendment  must  be  given  at  a  previous 

regular  (stated)  business  meeting. 

3.  An  amendment  to  Rules  of  Order,  Constitution,  By-Laws  (adopted  and  in 

force)  is  really  a  Principal  Motion,  subject  to  an  amendment  and  an 
amendment  to  the  amendment. — H.  M.  R. 

4.  Such  amendments  to  the  proposed  amendment  to  Rules  of  Order,  etc.,  must 

be  strictly  GERMANE. 

5.  To  amend  Rules  of  Order,  etc.,  requires  two-thirds  of  those  present  and 

voting. 

6.  But  this  amendment,  before  adoption  as  a  part  of  the  Rules,  etc.,  can  be 

amended  by  a  majority. 

II.  STANDING  RULES  include  orders  the  society  can  adopt,  amend,  rescind  or  sus- 

pend— by  a  mere  majority,  at  any  meeting,  without  previous  notice. 

III.  HIGHER  LAWS. 

1.  Constitution,  By-Laws  and  Rules  must  conform  to  U.  S.  and  State  Laws, 

and  to  the  Rules  and  Orders  of  Superior  Bodies  (Ecclesiastical,  Frater- 
nal, etc.). 

2.  No  Subordinate  Society  can  amend  laws  enacted  by  its  Superior. 

3.  Where  the  Society  is  to  own  property,  it  should  be  Incorporated,  and  a 

member  of  Committee  on  Constitution  should  consult  a  lawyer,  so 
that  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  shall  conform  to  State  Laws :  includ- 
ing laws  as  to  AMENDMENT  OF  CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS,  which  must  be 
observed. 

IV.  FORMS. 

1.  The  usual  forms  of  amend  apply. 

2.  Written  notice  should  give  the  present  rule,  proposed  change  and  rule  as 

amended. 

NOTE. — Societies  usually  prescribe  methods  for  amending  their  Constitu- 
tion, By-Laws,  Rules  of  Order  and  Standing  Rules.  Where  not  so  pro- 
vided for,  the  common  Parliamentary  Law,  as  here  given,  regulates  such 
action. 


£8  A   PARLIAMENTARY   SYLLABUS. 

SYLLABUS  — LESSON    XXIV. 
HOW  TO  REVERSE  ACTION  ON  AMENDMENTS. 

I.  If  a  motion  to  INSERT  certain  words  is  LOST —  The  Assembly: 

1.  Can  not  insert  the  same  words,  or  part  of  them. 

2.  Can  insert  (part  of)  the  same  words  and  strike  out  other  words. 

3.  Can  insert  the  same  words  (or  part  of  them)  with  added  words. 

II.  If  a  motion  to  INSERT  certain  words  is  CARRIED  —  The  Assembly: 

1.  Can  not  strike  out  the  inserted  words,  or  part  of  them. 

2.  Can  not  strike  out  (part  of)  the  inserted  words,  and  insert  other  words. 

3.  Can  strike  out  the  inserted  words  (or  part  of  them)  with  other  words. 

4.  Can  strike  out  (part  of)  the  inserted  words,  with  added  words,  and  insert 

other  words. 

III.  If  a  motion  to  STRIKE  OUT  certain  words  is  LOST —  The  Assembly: 

1.  Can  not  strike  out  the  same  words,  or  part  of  them. 

2.  Can  strike  out  the  same  words  (or  part  of  them)  with  added  words. 

3.  Can  strike  out  the  same  words  (or  part  of  them)  and  insert  other  words. 

4.  Can  strike  out  (part  of)  the  same  words,  with  added  words,  and  insert  others. 

IV.  If  a  motion  to  STRIKE  OUT  certain  words  is  CARRIED —  The  Assembly: 

1.  Can  not  insert  the  same  words,  or  part  of  them. 

2.  Can  not  strike  out  other  words,  and  insert  (part  of)  the  same  words. 

3.  Can  insert  the  same  words  (or  part  of  them)  with  added  words. 

4.  Can  S.  0.  other  words  and  insert  (part  of)  the  same  words  with  added  words. 

V.  If  a  motion  to  STRIKE  OUT  certain  words  AND  INSERT  other  words  is  LOST — IT 

can  be  RENEWED  if  EITHER  SET  of  words  (i.  e.  if  either  the  words  to  be 
struck  out,  or  the  words  to  be  inserted)  is  CHANGED  : 

1.  To  (part  of)  the  same  words,  with  added  words.  3.  To  other  words. 

2.  To  part  of  the  same  words.  4.   To  nothing. 
EXAMPLES:  S.  0.  ab  and  insert  cd  (lost).    (1)  Can  S.  0.  abx  and  insert  cd; 

(2)  Can  S.  O.  a  and  insert  cd;  (3)  Can  S.  0.  ab  and  insert  xy;  (4)  Can  S.  0.  ab. 

VI.  If  a  motion  to  STRIKE  OUT  certain  words  AND  INSERT  others  is  CARRIED  —  IT 

can  be  REVERSED  only  when  EACH  SET  of  words  is  CHANGED  : 

1.  To  same  words  (or  part  of  them)  with  added  words. 

2.  To  other  words. 

3.  To  different  words,  or  nothing  (i.  e.  when  one  set  of  words  is  changed,  as  in 

1  or  2  ;  and  the  other  set  is  omitted). 

EXAMPLES:  S.  0.  ab  and  insert  cd  (carried).  (1)  Can  S.  0.  (a)bx  and  insert 
(c)dy,  (2)  Can  S.  O.  x  and  insert  (c)dy;  (3)  Can  S.  0.  abx  or  bx  (but  not  a  or  ab), 
and  insert  nothing:  OR,  Can  insert  cy  or  cdy  (but  not  c  or  cd),  and  S.  O.  nothing. 

VII.  GENERAL  LAWS  ON  REVERSING  ACTION.    (R.  R.,  REED  AND  CUSHING.) 

1.  Things  done  must  stay  done — unless  Reconsidered. 

2.  A  motion  (or  amendment),  to  be  in  order,  must  be  SUBSTANTIALLY  DIFFER- 

ENT from  any  motion  (or  amendment)  already  acted  on  by  the  Assembly, 
during  the  Session. 

3.  "SUBSTANTIAL  DIFFERENCE  "  means  more  than  a  mere  change  of  WORDS. 
NOTE  A. — "  The  same  words  "  means  words  inserted  (or  struck  out)  in  one  motion. 
NOTE  B.— ''Added  words"  may  be  added  or  inserted  by  another  motion  for  the  sole 

purpose  of  making  reversal  possible. 


INDEX. 


Abbreviations    . 

Adjourn    .... 

^      "      at  a  certain  time    . 
"      fix  place  to  which  to 
"        "  time    "       "      " 


PAGE 

11 
44 
44 
48 


"       '    (priv'd)48 
"     "       "      "      (unpriv'd)  48 
"      order  of  business  and      .        36 
"      qualified        ...        44 
"      unqualified    ...         44 
"      sine  die         .         .         .        44 
"      to  a  certain  place  .         .        44 
"       time    .         .        44 
Amend,  14, 16,  22,  28,  30,  38,  46,  56,  58 
"     by  adding       .         .         .14,  58 
"      amendments    .         .         .        16 
to  amendments    16 
"      by-laws,  constitution,  etc.         56 
by  consent  of  second        .        26 
"      "  general  consent  .         .        26 
"      "  division      ...        28 
"      forms  of          .         .      14,  28,  30 
"      germane          .         .      14,  30,  56 
"      hostile     ....         14 
"     by  inserting    .         .         .14,  58 
"      minutes  ....        38 
"      motions  not  amendable    .        16 
"      reconsidering  .         .         .22,  46 
"     reversing  action  on  .         .        58 
"      rules  of  order  .         .        56 

"  "  of  a  superior  body  .  56 
"  separate  amendments  .  16 
"  standing  rules  ...  56 
"  by  striking  out  .  14,  30,  58 
"  "  "  "  and  inserting 

14,  30,  58 

"  substitute  .  .  .14,  30 
"  tabling  .  .  .  *  20 
"  trivial  .  .  .  .  14 
"  voting  on,  order  of  .  .  16 


Appeal       .         .         .         . 

"      chairman  voting  on 

"     tie-vote  on 
Ayes  and  noes,  voting  by    . 
Ballot        .... 

"      informal 

Business,  order  of      .     ••/'. 
By-laws,  amend 
"      suspend 


PAGE 

24 
24 
24 
12 

.  22,  34 
34 
36 
56 
54 


Calling  meeting  to  order     .         .  12,  36 

Chairman,  absence  of          .         ,        36 

"         how  address       ,         .        12 

1 '         when  can  he  vote        .        24 

Changing  a  vote         ...        40 

Close  debate       .         .         .         .  18,  50 

Commit 42 

Committee  of  the  whole      .         .        42 
Committees,  standing,  select       .        42 
sub-        ...        42 
Consideration,  objection  to          .        18 
Constitution,  adopt,  etc.     .         .        32 
amend  .         .         .32,  56 
and ' '  charter  members"  32 
suspend         .       ' .        54 
Corporations      .  :  .         .        56 

Debate,  close     .         .        .         .  18,  50 
"       extend  and  limit    .         .        50 
Division,  amend  by    .         .         .  14,  28 
"       call  for        ...        16 
"       questions  not  subject  to        28 
Doubting  a  vote         .         .         .        16 
Election  of  officers     .         .         .12,  34 
"    committees        .         .        42 
Extend  debate   .         .  .        50 

Fix  time  (and  place)  to  which  to  ad- 
journ     .         .         .       i.         .        48 
Forms  of  motions,  etc.,  see  various 

lessons. 
Germane,  amendments  must  be     14,  56 


INDEX. 


Higher  laws        .         .         .         .  54,  56 

Hostile,  amendments  may  be       .         14 

Incidental  questions  .         .         .         11 

Informal  ballot  ...         34 

Lay  on  the  table         ...         20 

Limit  debate      .         .         .         .         50 

Minutes,  amend,  correct,  approve       38 

"       should  contain      .         .  38,  48 

Motions,  making  and  seconding  .         12 

lists  of  .         .         .9,11 

"        (see  questions) 

Nominations      .         .         .12,  34,  42 

"  by  informal  ballot  .         34 

Objection  to  consideration  .         .         18 

Obtaining  the  floor     ...         12 

Officers,  election  of     .         .         .  12,  34 

Order  of  business        ...         36 

"      point  of    ....         12 

Organization,  permanent    .         .         32 

"  temporary     .         .  12,  32 

Parliamentary  inquiry         .         .         16 

Point  of  order    ....         12 

Postpone,  indefinitely          .         .         22 

"        to  a  certain  time.         .         22 

Previous  question       .         .         .  14,  52 

"  "        and  reconsider.         52 

Principal  motions       ...         18 

Privilege,  questions  of  .40 

Privileged  questions  .         .         .         11 

Questions  of  privilege          .         .         40 

"        incidental   .         .         .         11 

"        privileged   .         .         .    •      11 

"        subsidiary  .         .         .         11 

"        undebatable         .         .  9 

"        can  not  be  amended     .         16 

"   laid  on  table       20 

"  "        **'    reconsidered        9 

Quorum 36 

Recess 20 

Recognition  by  the  chair     .         .         12 
Reconsider         .         .         .         .  22,  46 
"         and  previous  question        52 
"          questions  which  can  not 

be  reconsidered  9 


PAGE 

Resolutions,  how  to  offer    .         .         12 
"  write,    read,    hand  to 

chair,  etc.    .         .         12 

Reverse  action  on  amendments    .         58 

Rules  of  order,  to  amend    .         .        56 

"      "      "      to  suspend  .         .        54 

"      "a  superior  body     .      36,  54,  56 

Second,  consent  of,  to  amendment       26 

"  "         "    "  withdrawal       26 

Seconding  motions     ...         12 

Secretary  calls  meeting  to  order  36 

"        counts  votes        .         .         16 

Special  order      ....        36 

Standing  rules,  to  amend,  etc.     .         56 

to  suspend.         .        54 

Subsidiary  questions  ...         11 

Substitute 14,  30 

' '         must  be  germane  (note)      30 
"          when  not  in  order       .         30 
Suspend  by-laws  and  constitution       54 
"       rules  of  order  and  stand- 
ing rules    .         .         .36,  54 
"       rules  of  a  superior  body  36,  54 
Take  from  the  table   ...         20 
Take  up  business  out  of  proper 

order 36 

Tellers 16,  34 

Trivial  amendments,  rule  out      .         14 

Trustees 36 

Undebatable  questions.  See  TABLES.    9 

Unfinished  business    .         .         .22,  36 

Vote,  changing  a        .         .         .40 

"     doubting  a         .         .         .         16 

"     when  can  chair  (note)        .        24 

"     who  can    ....  34,  40 

Voting      ,         .         .         12,  16,  34,  42 

"      order  of,  on  amendments          16 

"      by  ayes  and  noes      .         .         12 

"      by  ballot          ...         34 

"      by  division      .         .  16 

"      by  yeas  and  nays  (note)    .         24 

Withdrawal  of  motions       .         .         26 

Yeas  and  nays  (note)  ...         24 


LITERARY  STUDIES. 


THIS  SEEIES  OF  LITERARY  STUDIES  COM- 
PRISES THREE  OF  DR.  MATHEWS'  MOST 
POPULAR  BOOKS.  THEY  DEAL  WITH 
THEMES  WHICH  WILL  INTEREST  AND 
THEY  FURNISH  HELPFUL  SUGGESTIONS 
AS  WELL  AS  VALUABLE  LITERARY  AND 
HISTORICAL  INFORMATION. 


Oratory  and  Orators. 

The  Beginnings  of  Oratory,  The  Qualifi- 
cations of  the  Orator,  The  Political  and 
Pulpit  Orators  of  Various  Countries— 
these  and  kindred  topics  are ably presented. 

"It  is  a  volume  that  no  student  can 
read  without  benefiting  from  it."—  Boston 
Transcript. 

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of  the  directions  to  the  public  speaker, 
the  book  abounds  with  sparkling  anec- 
dotes, and  gems  of  thought  from  cele- 
brated orators."— Philadelphia  Record. 

11  The  author  treats  in  a  suggestive  and 
fascinating  strain  all  the  great  English, 
Irish  and  American  authors,  analyzing 
their  respective  styles  with  a  subtlety 
which  shows  profound  research  and  well 
balanced  judgment."— Boston  Traveler. 

11  No  better  idea  of  the  great  orators, 
whose  names  are  in  all  men's  mouths  can 
be  found  than  from  Dr.  Mathews'  glow- 
Ing  pages."— Philadelphia  Inquirer. 


Words:  Their  Use  and  Abuse. 

A  study  of  the  significance  of  words, 
classification  of  words,  common  impro- 
prieties of  speech,  etc. 

"A  book  that  will  lead  to  the  reforma- 
tion of  thousands  of  careless  talkers." — 
Christian  Union. 

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the  book  without  finding  something  worth 
remembering.  It  is  a  book  both  for 
libraries  and  general  reading.  Scholars 
will  not  disdain  its  many  valuable  illus- 
trations, while  ^he  rising  writer  will  find 
in  it  a  perfect  wealth  of  rules  and  sug- 
gestions to  help  him  form  a  good  style  of 
expression."—  The  Publishers'  Weekly. 

"It  gives  the  condensed  wisdom  of 
every  man  who  ever  handled  the  sub- 
ject."— Catholic  Mirror. 


Hours  with  Men  and  Books, 

A  series  of  talks  about  men  of  letters, 
books,  and  subjects  of  literary  interest. 

"A  store-house  of  valuable  informa- 
tion."— London  Morning  Post,  Eng. 

"A  book  that  encourages  the  love  of 
letters  is  so  rare  that  it  is  impossible  not 
to  be  grateful  to  Dr.  MatLews  for  one  that 
is  so  kindly  and  attractive."—  Atlantic 
Monthly. 

"Any  one  desirous  of  cultivating  an 
acquaintance  with  the  leading  thinkers 
and  actors  of  all  ages  and  to  have  in  a 
compendious  form,  intelligent  opinions 
on  their  lives  and  works,  will  find  herein 
the  result  of  deep  research  and  sound 
reflection."— Sheffield  Post,  Eng. 

"Calculated  to  impart  knowledge  in 
concrete  form  which  hours  of  study 
would  not  give."—  Banker  and  Trades- 
man, Boston.  J /A 


3  Vols.  in  a  box,  handsomely  bound  in  cloth 
and  illustrated.     Price,  $5.00. 


SCOTT,   FORESMAN  &  CO., 

PUBLISHERS, 

378-388  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


GFNFP  *T,  LIBR> 


14  DAY  USE 

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